Golconda Fort 'Secret Tunnel' Claim Debunked: ASI Finds Granite Chamber Near Historic Site

A recent discovery near Golconda Fort sparked speculation about a possible 400-year-old secret tunnel, but the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has ruled out those claims.

Following reports that a tunnel had been discovered behind the historic fort during work being carried out by the Army's Artillery Centre, Golconda, the ASI sent a team to inspect the site.

The preliminary findings suggest that the structure is not a tunnel, but a small rectangular chamber built using granite stone.

What Did the ASI Find Near Golconda Fort?

The ASI team included an archaeologist, engineer, surveyor and the site in-charge of Golconda Fort.

According to the preliminary inspection, the structure measures approximately:

• 1.2 metres in length
• 1.8 metres in width
• 2.2 metres in depth

The chamber is constructed from granite stone and contains rough stone masonry forming an internal wall-like structure.

The ASI also recovered a few red-coloured potsherds, which appear to date back to the medieval period.

However, archaeologists have not yet determined what the chamber was originally used for.

Is There Really a Secret Tunnel at Golconda Fort?

For now, the answer appears to be no.

The ASI has stated that its preliminary investigation found no evidence that the recently discovered structure is a tunnel.

Instead, it appears to be a small underground or enclosed chamber. Its exact purpose, age and historical significance will require a detailed archaeological investigation.

The discovery has nevertheless attracted attention because Golconda Fort has a long and complex history, with numerous structures built when the area functioned as a fortified settlement and administrative centre.

Discovery Made Inside Protected Zone

The site where the chamber was found falls within the prohibited area surrounding Golconda Fort.

The protected zone extends beyond 100 metres from the fortification wall, making archaeological clearance and investigation necessary before further work can continue.

The ASI Hyderabad Circle has reportedly asked the Army's Artillery Centre, Golconda, to halt land-levelling work until the discovery can be examined properly.

Detailed Investigation Planned

The ASI Hyderabad Circle will submit its findings to the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India and seek approval for a detailed investigation.

The next phase of the study is expected to focus on several questions:

• What was the original purpose of the granite chamber?
• How old is the structure?
• Are there similar chambers nearby?
• Could the discovery be linked to the wider settlement that once existed around Golconda Fort?

Until that investigation is completed, claims about a secret tunnel beneath or near Golconda Fort remain unverified.

The discovery may not have revealed a hidden passage, but the small granite chamber and medieval-era pottery fragments could still provide archaeologists with new clues about the historic landscape surrounding one of Hyderabad's most famous monuments.